Egyptian Premier League faces an uncertain future

By David Gold

March 16 – The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) chairman Anwar Saleh (pictured) says that they are as yet undecided on the future direction of football in the country.

Egyptian football has been thrown into turmoil after the tragedy in Port Said at the start of February where dozens were killed in violence after a match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly – with the league being indefinitely suspended.

It has now been confirmed that 75 people have been told they will stand trial for the deaths of supporters following the massacre.

The EFA recently announced a friendly tournament in place of the suspended Premier League, and have excluded Al-Masry from that competition, though Saleh also said a full punishment for the club would be announced in due course following last month’s violence in Port Said.

“We had a meeting that included Premier League clubs with the EFA interim board, at which the clubs assured us that they could not resume league activities at this point,” Saleh told the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) website.

“We also have a situation where the national and Olympic teams need to prepare before playing in upcoming competitions.”

Adding that the final decision on the tournament had yet to be taken, Saleh said: “The board still needs to discuss some outstanding matters regarding organisation, marketing and sponsorship.

“There are some loose ends to tie with our sponsors first.”

Another complicating factor is that Egypt hopes its national team, which has won three of the previous four African Nations Cup titles, can qualify for the tournament in South Africa next year, and needs time to prepare.

Additionally, the under-23 team harbours hopes of success in London this summer at the Olympic Games, while there is also the matter of qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

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